Elmhurst police talk suicidal woman off bridge

The 31-year-old woman was reported suicidal and missing to Villa Park police Monday evening. Around 10:30 p.m. when her cell phone was traced to First and West streets in Elmhurst, several afternoon shift officers responded to the area to search for her. Police requested both Metra and Canadian National train traffic stop when they believed she might have been on the railroad tracks, according to an email from Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael Ruth.

Elmhurst police officers Steve Wright and Tim Westering found the woman around 11 p.m. standing on the Canadian National Bridge directly over Route 83 threatening to jump and kill herself. They began talking to her while other Elmhurst officers immediately closed Route 83 from North Avenue to St. Charles Road in both directions with assistance from Addison police. The parking lot exits from Elmhurst Crossing were also closed, said police.

After several minutes, the woman agreed to take officers Wright and Westering's hands. She was safely taken off the bridge and transported to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital for evaluation said police.

Route 83 was opened and train traffic resumed a short time later.

Chief Ruth praised all officers involved for their role in saving the woman's life.

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